Pattaya is 147km (92mi) southeast of Bangkok, about a two-hour drive. Very frequent bus services (several buses every hour from the Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok from the early morning to the late evening) link Pattaya and Bangkok. There are also direct buses from and to Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport.
In 1950 there were only a few houses in Pattaya as it was a small fishing village. Unspoiled but also unsophisticated, with no tourists comforts nor infrastructure. In 40 years it has become not just a resort town but actually a city. The development started when during the Vietnam War, the US constructed and heavily used a nearby base at Sattahip.
US warships still visit the base occasionally and then, thousands of sex-hungry sailors storm the city. The base nowadays is mainly used by the Royal Thai Navy, and there are often many Thai soldiers in town though their pay does not allow them to indulge in Pattaya as the Western tourists do.
Today, Pattaya is Thailand’s premier beach resort and annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking tourists from all over the world.
A great variety of water-related activities await visitors who can windsurf, water-ski, parasail, swim, sunbathe, snorkel, sail, or take trips to offshore coral islands (where there are bungalows for overnight stays) by ferry, hydrofoil or hired boat.
One can rent water scooters to explore Pattaya bay, or motorcycles and jeeps to travel to neighboring beaches such as the increasingly popular Jomtien Beach, just south of Pattaya, where there also is a wide range of accommodations.
Tennis enthusiasts can have a ball at hotel courts, and golfers can tee off at the Siam Country Club, the Panya Resort Golf Course, the Royal Thai Navy Golf Course and the Bangphra Golf Course, all within 30min from Pattaya. Bowling alleys, billiard halls, shooting galleries and archery ranges offer further entertainments of skill.
Away from the beach going inland, there are different kinds of things to do and see: visiting orchid farms, orchards and botanical gardens; riding through the lush countryside on thoroughbreds or just horsing about to the many small villages in the hill country surrounding Pattaya.
Further alternatives are a visit to a hill tribe village on North Pattaya Road, the Nong Nooch Village, just southeast of the resort, the Elephant Village and Pattaya’s Elephant Kraal, where one may watch trained elephants at work or performing feats they have been taught for the entertainment of tourists.
The week-long annual Pattaya Festival, usually in early April, is celebrated with a broad range of entertainment spectacles, including parades, beauty contests, concerts, food festivals, fireworks and an exhaustive calendar of sporting events and contests. These include, for example, a Grand Prix and go-kart racing, sailing regattas, windsurfing competitions and fishing contests.
Changing the Image
Despite the wide range of excellent facilities for tourists with legitimate interests, Pattaya in particular has, like Thailand in general, an image problem, caused by the so-called sex industry. Reports in the international media have long overemphasized the sex-related negative sides of the resort, and these reports (some genuinely critical but others just printed because sex-related stories make newspapers sell well) have been fueled by a number of local reports which also have presented the darker sides of Pattaya, such as the crime that always accompanies the sex industry, rather than the resort’s many advantages.
The nightlife columnist of the Bangkok Post, Bernard Trink, for example, has listed in his column of June 29, whom he believed to be "attracted to the resort" - aside from "honest restaurateurs and tradesmen, hoteliers and publicans":
* Those running from the law in their homelands.
* Those in search of drugs.
* Football hooligans.
* Foreign con men who cheat tourists and locals.
* Perverts.
And who is to blame for perverts coming to Pattaya? Trink verbatim: "The sensational Press abroad has made much of the ‘sex industry’ in Pattaya, enticing perverts to come with the sole purpose of bedding pre-teenagers of either sex. Alas, there are locals who make such children available to them."
Fact is that regardless of whether in the past the social segments listed by Bernard Trink have been attracted to the resort more than to other destinations (a number of South American countries have a longstanding reputation to be havens for criminals), writing that they are attracted is suitable to attract them, even if they haven’t been attracted before.
The Beachcomber column in the Bangkok Post of February 28, 1991 added another group of rather negative elements attracted to the resort: cynical Western journalists who on the one side deplore conditions in Pattaya but on the other side take personal advantage of exactly these conditions. The writer of the column suggested that Pattaya may be in store for some more bashing from the foreign press. As reason he gave the death of a 47-year old female German tourist. The Beachcomber writer talked to a German correspondent who was obviously happy with the case because it gave him an excuse for a research trip to Pattaya. The German correspondent is quoted verbally with the following statement: "Who wants to write about murders in New York or Los Angeles when we can have get an expense free trip to Pattaya and write about the local scene here and live in luxury hotels at the expense of our newspaper as well as having fun with some of the local girls."
But if rhetorics in Pattaya business and local government circles are an indication of things to come, Pattaya will undergo some major changes in the next few years. While beyond any doubt, nightlife was what in the past made Pattaya big, many in the city feel that the future is in wholesome entertainment for families.
Not that Pattaya would have lacked in attractions to be a holiday destination for wholesome fun. It has good beaches, though the actual Pattaya beach is not the cleanest anymore; however, at both the Jomtien beach as well as the Naklua beach, water pollution is not a particular problem. Pattaya has convenient dive sites and its infrastructure for other water sports is simply the best in all of Asia. Pattaya is located within easy reach from the capital as well as Don Muang International Airport. And most of all, Pattaya has an excellent accommodation infrastructure. And what’s more: prices are lower at Pattaya than those of other destinations in Thailand, e.g. at Phuket. Especially as room occupancy has been below capacities since about 1989, numerous hotels offer exceptional bargains.
However, what has made family vacationers choose other destinations over Pattaya is the nightlife reputation of the city. And that’s what a considerable part of the Pattaya community wants changed.
Reported the Bangkok Post of May 2, 1991: "Hoteliers are particularly concerned with the sex industry in the resort. At a recent meeting of hotel marketing committees, the government was criticized for allowing prostitution to go unchecked. Dusit Resort resident manager, Richard Burke, told the meeting that the sex industry should at least be put behind closed doors so that families who visit Pattaya can appreciate the positive aspects of the resort.... Hoteliers also discussed recent complaints of live sex shows in some areas of the resort, which are presented to wealthy Chinese and Japanese tour groups. ‘It’s an image that we don’t want but illegal tour guides are pushing visitors into these shows to make commissions. Most Europeans walk away from the offer but it’s big business for Chinese or Japanese tour guides,’ a tourism official said."
Already the Bangkok Post of August 20, 1990 reported the opinion of Alois Fassbind, the general manager of the Royal Cliff Hotel, one of the most outspoken critics of the local authorities as far as nightlife is concerned: "The entertainment area, he [Fassbind] said, could have been better planned. Authorities should not have allowed bars to sprout all over Pattaya. For the past year, Pattaya has received quite a bit of negative media reports, highlighting the city’s problems with sewage treatment, water pollution, high murder rate, child prostitution, drugs, lack of an anti-AIDS campaign - all of which rightfully affected tourism in the resort. Fassbind says the negative publicity has affected regular programmes such as Kuoni, TUI and Globetrotters..."
On August 1, 1991, the Bangkok Post reported that German manager of the Thai Garden Resort, Michael Vogt, believes that family tourism will be a major factor in the resort’s future growth. Accordingly, the hotel has spent 4 million Baht to build a children’s playground and to convert its Tango restaurant into a family shopping arcade, among other improvements. On a sales tour to Germany, he already recorded a reverted trend, as far as Pattaya’s image is concerned. Vogt verbally: "Although we are still taking knocks on Pattaya’s sex image, the dust is beginning to settle."
Talking about dust, another hotel manager was quoted with his complaint about the city’s sex image in the Bangkok Post of April 4, 1991: "It’s too open and offers a clear opportunity for the foreign media to drag Pattaya in the dust."
The cited report also quoted a number of city councillors with critical remarks on the sex industry in Pattaya. One of them simply declared: "Sex and sin is an image we don’t want."
Later in 1991, first steps were taken to contain the sex industry. A number of bars that have been featuring sex shows were closed temporarily to give the owners a clear warning to refrain from staging indecent performances. Efforts are being made to limit nightlife establishments to a defined zone in South Pattaya, but even there, licenses were not issued to a number of people who wanted to set up new nightclubs.
Beaches
Pattaya Beach
This beach, about 4km long, has the Beach Road running parallel to it from north to south. The northern part is the more quiet area while the southern part is on both sides of the street lined up with shops, restaurants, discotheques, bars and nightclubs.
Jomtien Beach
This is the most notable of several beaches south of Pattaya. Jomtien beach, just a few kilometers south of Pattaya, is considerably larger than Pattaya beach, and it is much cleaner and better for swimming as well as for water sports as there are less boats anchored in the area. (For details on Jomtien, please see the separate chapter on Jomtien below.)
Naklua Beach
The beach immediately north of the actual Pattaya also is more quiet than Pattaya Beach. (For details on Naklua, see the chapter on Naklua below.)
Ko Larn
45 minutes by ordinary boat or 15 minutes by speedboat, it is the largest of Pattaya’s offshore islands. Attractions include viewing coral reefs from glass-bottom boats, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, water-skiing and parasailing. Deep-sea fishing is popular in the waters around Ko Larn and the neighboring smaller islands. There are many seafood restaurants on the island’s main beaches.
Accommodation
Pattaya boasts an incredible choice of accommodation to suit every pocket and taste. Facilities range from aircon opulence to basic simplicity. Essentially, the visitor has the choice of luxury hotels with private beaches; first-class bayside hotels and bungalows; middle-class hotels, and ‘inland’ economy-class hotels as well as guest houses.
Major hotels occupy spacious landscaped gardens normally with swimming pools, tennis courts and jogging tracks.
Restaurants
In matters of cuisine, Pattaya is a truly international city. Many foreigners who have settled in the resort have opened restaurants featuring the cuisine of their home countries. French, Italian, German, Swiss, Scandinavian, English, Indian, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese dishes are prepared just the way as in the respective countries themselves. Furthermore, Pattaya offers some of Thailand’s best seafood in several specialty restaurants. And last not least, there is of course ample opportunity to taste the excellent Thai cuisine. For general information on the various cuisines represented in Pattaya, please see the chapter Cuisine in the first part of this book.
There is little dispute that among the top restaurants in Pattaya, and a unique one aside from that, is Dolf Riks - well, actually Dolf Riks is the owner, and he just named the restaurant after himself. Considering that this restaurant lives of the personality of Dolf Riks himself (and not the creations of an anonymous chef), to name it after himself was certainly justified. Dolf Riks, Dutch by his passport, grew up in Indonesia and opened his restaurant in Pattaya in 1969 - thus making it not only the longest established first-class restaurant in the resort but simply a Pattaya institution.
A large number of international publications has written about Dolf Riks and his restaurant, and quoted here is just one, the Hongkong Standard, with some excerpts of a review by Humphrey Wayne: "Painter, writer and chef, Dolf runs a great place full of interesting people and unusual food... I discovered on the first dinner visit a marvellous Dolf Riks creation, ox tail osso bucco, a soft, rich meal with salad and mashed potato, which excited the taste buds every time... It was the culinary highlight of the trip, followed closely by the Indonesian Rijstafel, an Indonesian feast with a Dutch name... Seek Dolf’s expert advice on the menu and I guarantee that you will have a meal to remember."
Nightlife
Major hotels have cocktail lounges, discotheques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer food, drinks and music.
Nightlife beyond Pattaya’s hotels is more liberated. Discotheques, transvestite cabarets, nightclubs, coffee shops, open-air bars, amusement arcades and restaurants with live music and entertainment compete for attention. Most such establishments are located along the Pattaya Beach Rd and in South Pattaya, the resort’s major shopping area.
The widely circulating Lonely Planet guide book gave the following warning on nightlife in Pattaya: "The part of Pattaya known as ‘the village’ attracts a large number of ka-toeys, Thai transvestites, who pose as hookers and ply their trade among the droves of well-heeled European tourists. Germans and Scandinavians lead the pack. Incidentally, the easiest way to tell a ka-toey is by the Adam’s apple - a scarf covering the neck is a dead give-away." (Lonely Planet Thailand, 1990 edition, page 163)
The largest cabaret in Pattaya is the Alcazar, actually one of the largest cabarets in all of Asia. Guaranteed no exploitation of women as all the performers are transvestites.
Shopping
South Pattaya is the main shopping area of the resort. The resort’s major gem, jewelry, silk, cotton and handicraft shops, tailors and boutiques are all in the vicinity, or adjacent to major beachside hotels. Pattaya 2 Road also has several handicraft and silk shops.
A multi-million Baht shopping complex on North Pattaya Road, patterned after the Chiang Mai night market, will include a handicrafts center, bazaar and shopping arcade with small bars, nightclubs and an outdoor seafood restaurant.
Shoppers can take advantage of a bimonthly pocket-sized Shopping Guide published by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The complimentary publication contains shopping tips, maps of major shopping areas, and a comprehensive list of TAT accredited shops in Pattaya and other major tourist destinations.
Banks & Foreign Exchange
Bangkok Bank 44 Naklua Rd, Tel 42-9347, 42-9351
Bangkok Metropolitan Bank
464 Pattaya Beach Rd, Tel 42-8768 to 9
Bank of Asia; 569/1 Naklua Shopping Center
Tel 42-8418
Krung Thai Bank; 290 North Pattaya Rd
Tel 42-8545, 42-8436
Siam Commercial Bank
589 Pattaya Beach Rd, Tel 42-8760
Thai Farmers Banks
22 South Pattaya Rd, Tel 42-9142
Lida; 396 Mu 9, Sunset Avenue, Tel 42-8641
Lisa; 1/1 North Pattaya Rd, Tel 42-9259
Pattaya Exchange
391 Yodsak Shopping Center, Tel 42-8643
Yenjet Gift Shop
188 Sunset Avenue, South Pattaya
Offices
Government offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30-16:30 with 12:00-13:00 lunch break.
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Pattaya Office 382/1 Pattaya Beach Rd
Tel 42-8750, 42-9113
The office is well stocked with complimentary tourist publications and provides authoritative information on local events and regional attractions. The office is open seven days a week, including public holidays.
Tourist Police
The bilingual Tourist Police is attached to the Tourism Authority of Thailand office, at 382/1 Pattaya Beach Rd, Tel 42-9371. As anywhere in Thailand, they provide speedy assistance to visitors.
Immigration Office
Soi 8 Pattaya Beach Rd, Tel 42-9409
Post Office
Soi Post Office, Central Pattaya
Post Office
Sawang Fa Rd, Naklua
Pattaya City Hall
North Pattaya Road, Tel 42-9245
Pattaya Police Station
Pattaya Beach Rd, Tel 42-8223
Pattaya Telephone Exchange
(Domestic Long Distance Service)
Pattaya Rd, Tel 42-8111
Telecommunications Center
South Pattaya Rd
Radio
Pattaya has its own English-language FM Radio Station broadcasting daily on 107.75 as ‘Pattaya By the Sea’.
Legal Consultation
An amazing number of foreign visitors to Thailand, especially to Pattaya, is interested in staying in the country for more than just a short vacation. Those who can afford it may just look for a permanent dwelling, probably even buying a condominium unit, to retire in the country. Others want to go a step further and participate in a business firm. Basic information on these topics is given in the chapters Accommodation and Business & Employment in the first part of this book. However, those who want to get serious with investing in Thailand (but not in amounts that would justify dealing with the Board of Investments) should gather first-hand information, especially from other foreigners who have bought property or invested in businesses. There are a number of law offices in Pattaya, mostly with Western partners, specializing in consulting foreigners intending to buy property or invest in the country. As they mainly deal with foreigners, they are, of course, particularly familiar with the problems foreigners typically face when staying in Thailand rather permanently.
Sports
Many sports facilities, ranging from diving to golf and from bowling to motor racing, are offered in the Pattaya area - not just in the actual Pattaya but also in Jomtien to the south and Naklua to the north. Therefore, information on sports facilities in the Pattaya area, including Jomtien and Naklua, is given in a special chapter following the chapter on Jomtien, after the Pattaya and Naklua chapters.
Places of Interest
The Pattaya area has a large number of places of interest, many especially designed for Westerners. Among them are two elephant show grounds and several theme parks. A number of these places of interest are not in the actual Pattaya but in or beyond Jomtien to the south or Naklua to the north. Therefore, information on this kind of places of interest, not only in Pattaya but in the surrounding area as well, is given in a special chapter following the Jomtien chapter.
Transportation
There is an abundance of transportation facilities between Bangkok and Pattaya. As the means of transport between Bangkok and Pattaya also serve Naklua, immediately north of Pattaya, and Jomtien to the south of the actual Pattaya, combined information on transportation is given in a separate chapter after the Jomtien chapter and the chapters on Sports and Places of Interest in the Pattaya area.
Naklua
Naklua is a beach immediately north of Pattaya, much more quiet than Pattaya Beach. Naklua has a good accommodation infrastructure but only little entertainment. Those who are after the nightlife can easily travel the short distance to Pattaya.
While Naklua has some infrastructure for sports by itself, those staying at Naklua can easily make use of Pattaya’s sports infrastructure as well.
Naklua doesn’t have many first-class restaurants, but then again, those who want to go out for a fine dinner can also just make the short trip to Pattaya.
Like Jomtien, south of Pattaya, Naklua, too, has profited from the rapid growth of tourism in Pattaya without being inflicted with the social problems that accompanied Pattaya’s rapid development. But unlike the resort hotels of Jomtien which have happily distanced themselves from Pattaya, Naklua establishments have so far less recognized that it may be considered an advantage not to be in the actual Pattaya. Accordingly, a number of Naklua establishments have named themselves after Pattaya.
Unlike Jomtien, Naklua has only few resorts in the best categories.
Restaurants
Most hotels have restaurants. Those who want to dine out for special treats can always go to the actual Pattaya where they find a large number of specialty restaurants.
Entertainment
As the actual Pattaya is just a few kilometers south, those who want to visit entertainment establishments have them nearby while those who do not want entertainment infrastructure, families for example, are far enough away not to be disturbed.
Shopping
Naklua doesn’t have many shops, aside from those attached to hotels and a few supermarkets, but a wide selection of goods is available in the actual Pattaya, just a few kilometers to the south.
Sports
Many sports facilities, ranging from diving to golf and from bowling to motor racing, are offered in the Pattaya area. Information on sports facilities in the Pattaya area are given in a special chapter following the chapter on Jomtien.
Places of Interest
The Pattaya area has a large number of places of interest, many especially designed for Westerners. Among them are two elephant show grounds and several theme parks. Information on this kind of places of interest is given in a special chapter following the Jomtien chapter.
Transportation
Naklua shares in the transportation infrastructure of Pattaya. A number of buses from Bangkok passes through Naklua just before proceeding to Pattaya. Otherwise, to go from Bangkok to Naklua one can take any bus to Pattaya, just hop on a passenger pickup at any bus stop there and proceed to Naklua on one’s own.
To get from Naklua to Bangkok, one best catches a bus at the bus terminal in the actual Pattaya.
Passenger pickups from Naklua to the actual Pattaya are 10 to 20 Baht. Special trips are more expensive.
For more information on transportation to and from Pattaya and Naklua, as well as in the Pattaya area, please see the separate transportation chapter after the Jomtien chapter and the chapters on Sports and Places of Interest in the Pattaya area.
Jomtien
Jomtien, a few kilometers south of Pattaya, is one of the best beaches along the Eastern Coast. While during its early development, it was much oriented towards Pattaya it has long since become a resort in its own right.
Nevertheless, the closeness to Pattaya has its advantages, not because of the notorious nightlife of Pattaya (which meanwhile has turned out rather a disadvantage than an advantage for Pattaya itself) but because the Jomtien visitor can make wide use of the non-nightlife infrastructure of the sin resort.
A large number of sports facilities which have been built around Pattaya in recent years, such as golf courses, a race track and horse riding stables are all within easy reach from Jomtien.
While hotels and resorts in Jomtien have fine Thai as well as international restaurants, those who prefer a wider selection can easily travel the short distance to Pattaya. Public transportation is available day and night.
While Jomtien does benefit from its closeness to Pattaya, it hasn’t inherited Pattaya’s problems. Unlike Pattaya, Jomtien is no nightlife district. There also is little pressure at Jomtien to come up with nightlife establishments as those guests who search for them can easily make the short trip to Pattaya; a result is that Jomtien has less nightlife, not only than Pattaya but also less than some of the beaches on Phuket.
Jomtien has long been a favorite destination for foreign residents in Bangkok - rather those with families than those single (and male). Still today, there are many more people on Jomtien beach over the weekends than during the week and a number of hotels and resorts charge higher rates for the nights from Friday to Sunday (though this won’t affect those staying at Jomtien for longer than just two days).
Jomtien beach is much cleaner than Pattaya beach, and it’s more pleasant because it’s by far not as crowded with anchoring boats of all sizes. As Jomtien beach is much longer than Pattaya beach, it’s also much better suited for civil water sports like windsurfing (water scooters are chiefly found on Pattaya beach).
Restaurants
Most hotels have restaurants. Those who want to dine out for special treats can always go to the actual Pattaya, just a few kilometers north, where they find a large number of specialty restaurants.
Entertainment
As the actual Pattaya is just a few kilometers north, those who want to visit entertainment establishments have them nearby while those who do not want entertainment infrastructure, families for example, are far enough away not to be disturbed.
Shopping
Jomtien doesn’t have many shops, aside from those attached to hotels and a few supermarkets, but a wide selection of goods is available in the actual Pattaya, just a few kilometers to the north.
Sports
Many sports facilities, ranging from diving to golf and from bowling to motor racing, are offered in the Pattaya and Jomtien area. Information on sports facilities are given in a special chapter following this chapter on Jomtien.
Places of Interest
The Pattaya / Jomtien area has a large number of places of interest, many especially designed for Westerners. Among them are two elephant show grounds and several theme parks. Information on this kind of places of interest are combined for Jomtien and Pattaya in a special chapter following this Jomtien chapter.
Transportation
Jomtien shares in the transportation infrastructure of Pattaya. Many buses from Bangkok proceed to Jomtien after passing through Pattaya. Otherwise, one can always take a bus from Bangkok to Pattaya and just hop on a passenger pickup at any bus stop in Pattaya and proceed to Jomtien on one’s own.
To get from Jomtien to Bangkok, one best catches a bus at the bus terminal in Pattaya.
Passenger pickups from Jomtien to Pattaya are 20 Baht. Special trips are more expensive.
For more information on transportation to and from Pattaya and Jomtien, as well as in the Pattaya area, please see the separate chapter after this Jomtien chapter and the chapters on Sports and Places of Interest in the Pattaya area.
Sports & Games in / around Pattaya & Jomtien
Scuba Diving
Pattaya was Thailand’s original dive center. American servicemen based in Thailand during the Vietnam War discovered that the seas off Pattayaoffered fine diving opportunities and would charter boats from fisherman to explore the nearby islands and their rich marine life.
Today, of course, diving has become a much more sophisticated business with a number of well-managed dive schools and centers offering a variety of courses for beginners as well as experienced divers, along with day trips and longer excursions.
Because of its good accessibility from Bangkok, Pattaya remains one of Thailand’s most important and popular dive centers. The resort town provides high standard accommodation at rates lower than at most seaside resorts in the country; furthermore, there is a wide selection of other water sports facilities.
More than 30 offshore islands stretch around Pattaya within a radius of some 48km (30mi), from around Si Racha in the north to Sattahip in the south. A few islands are off-limits as they are under the control of the Royal Thai Navy. Most others have fascinating dive sites. The waters are rich in various coral species, among them mushroom coral, lettuce coral, staghorn and brain coral to name but a few. Tropical fish which can often be spotted include white tip and black tip sharks, stingrays, angel fish and huge sea bass.
Approximately one hour by boat are Ko Sak, Ko Khrok, and Ko Larn. These three islands are known as the inner islands. The coral and marine life here has been greatly damaged by pollution and heavy boat traffic. While there are still some coral reefs remaining at depths from 5-15m, marine life is sparse and visibility usually low (3-6m). The large numbers of speedboats and water scooters passing over the dive sites can make diving in this area a hazardous activity.
The outer ring of islands, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from the mainland includes Ko Rin, Ko Phi, Ko Man Wichai, Ko Keung Baddan and Ko Leaum. These islands have been protected from development by the Royal Thai Navy and are much more suitable for diving than the inner islands. Coral reefs range from 5-30m depth, with visibility from 5-15m. Ko Rin is especially good for photography, with generally clear water and many varieties of soft and hard coral.
Dive trips to the outer islands depart from various sites at around 8:00. Usually, a mid-morning dive is conducted upon arrival at one of the island reefs. This is followed by a lunch, either on board or on one of the island beaches. A second dive is made in the afternoon at a different reef site. The boats then return to Pattaya, arriving back at about 17:00.
There are also two shipwrecks within reach of the Pattaya/Jomtien area. The Petchburi Bremen is a freighter that sunk in the mid-1930’s after engine trouble and an explosion. The Bremen is 100m in length, and lies on a sandy bottom in 23m of water It is located just off the island of Ko Khram in the Sattahip area about 2hrs sailing time from Jomtien beach or about 2:20hrs from Pattaya.
The wreck provides the opportunity to see large schools of barracuda and jacks, as well as many varieties of stingray in the sand surrounding the wreck. The ship itself is upright, and fairly intact with some opportunities for wreck penetration available to trained divers.
The Hardeep is a cargo ship which was commandeered by the Japanese during World War II and sunk by the Allies in the 1942-1944 period. It lies in 27m of water off the island of Ko Chuang in the Samae San area. This ship is lying on its side and is intact. Divers on the Hardeep often tour inside some of the large cargo holds, or search the surrounding area for the bombs responsible for the ship’s sinking.
The Hardeep is reached with an hour taxi ride to the Samae San Village pier, followed by a 45min boat trip. Tours to this wreck site are generally done on a small fishing boat with 6 divers maximum. The islands surrounding the Hardeep offer diving opportunities similar to the outer ring of islands previously described, with the nearby Shark Fin Rock being the local favorite.
Many of Pattaya’s diving schools and centers have PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) or NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) qualified personnel, plus a full range of equipment for rent. They also have workshops for repair of diving equipment. A number of languages are spoken at these schools, including English, German, Dutch, French, Japanese and Thai.
Windsurfing
Most popular for windsurfing is the 6km Jomtien Beach, 4km south of Pattaya. There are also several windsurf schools, and the Pattaya Windsurf Club on Jomtien Beach stages regular competitions. Typical rates for boards are 150-200/hour.
Sailing
Boats can be rented at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and from Sundowner Sailing Services. Typical rates are: 14ft Hobie Catamaran 250/hour; 16ft Hobie Catamaran 300/hour
Parasailing
Parasailing is offered along Pattaya Beach, along Jomtien Beach and at Ko Larn. A common rate is 250 Baht per round.
Water-skiing
Water-skiing is offered along Pattaya Beach, along Jomtien Beach and at Ko Larn. A common rate is 800 to 1000 Baht per hour (including hire of boat, driver and skis).
Game Fishing
Game fishing expeditions are organized by several operators. The waters around Ko Manwichai, Ko Rin and Ko Khram are popular for fishing of marlin, king mackerel, sharks and baracudas. Addresses to contact are:
Fresh-water Fishing
This is offered at Panarak Park on the Siam Country Club Road, Jomtien Fishing Park on Jomtien Beach Rd and at the Banglamung Shrimp Farm.
Jomtien Fishing Park
The park is just a few hundred meters from Jomtien Beach and features a fresh-water fishing pond and has fishing equipment for rent. The park is open between 8:00 and 24:00. A good restaurant provides lunch and dinner.
Panarak Park
A fisherman’s delight as this park on the road to the Siam Country Club Golf Course features a well-stocked fishing pond in a tropical garden setting. Fishing gear is also available. For non-fishers there are a mini golf course and jogging and cycling paths. Facilities also include bungalow lodgings and a restaurant. For further information Tel Bkk 521-0763. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 100 Baht from North Pattaya, Central Pattaya or South Pattaya.
Other Water Sports
Water Scooter costs 250 Baht per hour (self drive).
Golf
Siam Country Club
6,448 yards, par 72
A short distance from Pattaya (11km, 7mi off km 145 on Sukhumvit Highway), Siam Country Club offers one of the country’s most challenging courses with lots of wooded hills and awkwardly placed stretches of water, all set in 200 hectares (500 acres) of beautiful countryside. The fairways are wide and lead to greens that test the most accomplished putters. The par-3’s here are particularly difficult, along with the 207-yard 8th which is intersected by water running the full width of the course.
Located some 30km (19mi) south of Pattaya, near the port of Sattahip, the Royal Thai Navy Course (also sometimes called the Sattahip Navy Course) is Thailand’s longest. It is also regarded as one of the most difficult, with rolling hills and dense vegetation. Little used but superbly maintained, the course also has a new clubhouse with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and nearby sea.
Green fees weekdays 120 Baht (after 15:30 special fee); weekend 250 Baht
Caddy fee 50 Baht
Clubs for rent 200 Baht
Office: Phlu Ta Luang Golf Course
Sattahip, Chonburi
Resv Tel (02) 466-1180 Ext Sattahip 2217
Panya Resort Golf Course
3 courses (A/B/C), par 72
A/B 7,009 yards; A/C 7,006 yards
B/C 6,963 yards
Thailand’s largest golf course with 27 holes in a 128-hectare (320-acre, 800-rai) setting on the Bangna - Trat Highway, 83km (52mi) from Bangkok.
Green fees weekdays 300 Baht; weekends and holidays 600 Baht
Caddy fees 9 holes 100 Baht, 18 holes 150 Baht
Clubs for rent 250 Baht
Open 6:00-18:00
502 Mu 1 Tambon Bang Phra, Si Racha
Tel 32-2370 to 9
Office: Panya Resort Ltd
204 Panya Village, Phatthanakan Rd
Phrakanong, Bangkok
Resv Tel 314-0571 to 3, 314-0741 to 3
Bangphra Golf Course
6,440 yards, par 72
Venue of the Thailand Open on three occasions, the Bangphra course, between Bangsaen and Pattaya and about a 1hr drive from Bangkok, is unquestionably one of the country’s most beautiful courses. The natural setting calls for a gradual uphill climb and then a panoramic descent, with views of the nearby sea. Each of the greens has its own characteristics and all combine to make this an extremely challenging and attractive course. The clubhouse has accommodation, a restaurant, a pro shop, meeting facilities and a swimming pool.
Green fees weekdays 300 Baht
weekends 500 Baht
Caddy fee 150 Baht
Clubs for rent 250 Baht
Accommodation 1,200-1,700
Open 6:00-18:00
45 Mu 6 Tambon Bangphra, Si Racha
Tel 31-1321, 31-1149
Office: 19th floor, Thai Wah Tower
21 Sathorn Tai Rd, Yannawa, Bangkok
Resv Tel (02) 240-9170 to 2
(038) 31-1149, (038) 31-1312
Tennis, Squash, Badminton
Tennis can be enjoyed at 14 Pattaya hotels where preference is given to hotel guests. Several hotels have tennis coaches.
Squash is offered at the Cherry Tree on the Siam Country Club Road.
Badminton is offered 24 hours a day at the Pattaya Badminton Court on Soi 17, Beach Road
Snooker
Little Duck Pattaya Resort
336/22 Central Pattaya Rd
Tel 42-8104 to 5, 42-8065
Pattaya Bowl
Pattaya 2 Rd, Tel 42-9466
Palladium
Pattaya 2 Rd, Tel 42-4955
O.D. Bowl
562 Mu 10, Cliff Rd (Pratumnak Rd)
South Pattaya, Tel 42-3612 to 4
A.R. Snooker
Tel 42-2373
Inter Snooker
Tel 42-9854
Royal Snooker
Royal Palace Hotel
215-215/2 Pattaya 2 Rd
Tel 42-5656, 42-5659, 42-6262 to 6
Bowling
Pattaya Bowl
Pattaya 2 Rd, Tel 42-9466
20 bowling lanes with fully automatic pin setting and a computerized scoring system. What else? Says the Pattaya Bowl brochure: "Pattaya Physical Massage - Featuring old Thai-style physical massage that can cure stubborn cases of sore backs, stiff necks, sore muscels or sprains and be thoroughly relaxing. You’ll feel comfortable in neat and clean air conditioned rooms with over fifty beautiful women expert in massage to choose from." Group holidays to Pattaya have long been popular with German bowling clubs.
Royal Cliff Bowling
Royal Cliff Hotel, Cliff Road
Tel 42-1421 to 30, Fax 42-8513, 42-8511
O.D. Bowl
O.D. Hotel
562 Mu 10, Cliff Rd (Pratumnak Rd)
South Pattaya, Tel 42-3612 to 4
Shooting
Shooting, with hand guns and field rifles, is offered at Tiffany’s which has an aircon range with 19 fully equipped galleries.
Pattaya Shooting Range
Ground floor of Tiffany Building
Pattaya Sports Bazaar, Pattaya 2 Rd
Tel 42-9642, 42-1700 to 3
9:00-21:00 daily
Daily range fee 120 Baht
Single bullet prices .22 cal 3 Bath, .38 cal 9 Baht, .45 cal 12 Baht; 9 mm 14 Baht; target 6 Baht.
Horseback riding
Equestrians will enjoy the steeds at the Reo Ranch, 5km (3mi), along Sukhumvit Highway. Trail riding in the neighboring countryside is available on thoroughbreds imported from Australia.
Horses can also be rented from a stable on Pattaya 2 Rd opposite Palm Garden Hotel near the North Pattaya circle.
Jogging
A track is laid out at Pattaya Fitness Park at the foot of Pattaya Hill. The park has a beautiful garden, offers plenty of shade from trees and has a refreshing hill breeze. Jogging is also popular on some hotel jogging tracks, along the 4km Pattaya Beach Rd and along the 6km Jomtien Beach Rd.
Motor Sports
Bira International Circuit
This international speedway for both, cars and motorcycles, is about 15km (9mi) from Pattaya City on Highway 36 (Pattaya-Rayong). Racing days are Saturday and/or Sunday. The 2.4km (2mi) circuit is ideal for formula-3 races
Those who want to try their driving skill on motorcycles or cars need to be in possession of an International Drivers’ License. The cost of rental of vehicles depends on the size of the vehicle and the capacity of the engine.
The fee for driving with the driver’s own car is 500 Baht for 2 hours. Motorcycle owners can use the track from 8:00 to 12:00 at a price of 300-500 Baht.
The circuit is open every day. For more details Tel 587-7448.
Pattaya Kart Speedway
400 meter track for go-karts
212 Mu 9, Pattaya 2 Rd, Tel 42-3062
Places of Interest around Pattaya & Jomtien
Mini Siam
Mini Siam near Pattaya Klang is a theme park displaying Thai heritage in miniature. It brings together models of important buildings and objects of Thai culture and civilization of various periods from the ancient time till present.
More than 100 models, each on a scale of 1:25, are depicted on a 1.8 hectare (4.4 acre) plot, surrounded by a beautiful park with a total area of 4.6 hectares (11.4 acre) with many different types of trees. It is the third largest such miniature park in the world (after similar parks in Holland and Taiwan). Admission fee is 200 Baht per person. Tel 250-1866 or (038) 42-1628 for more details. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 30 Baht from North Pattaya, 40 from Central Pattaya and 50 from South Pattaya.
Pattaya Elephant Village
The elephant roundup at the elephant village is literally a big gathering. The gigantic beasts have long been the backbone for heavy work in the forests and jungles of Thailand. The village has shows of elephants at work, elephants playing football, demonstrations on the daily life of pachyderms and their masters, feeding and care of the animals and the use of elephants as the predecessors of tanks in warfare, as well as in ceremonial rites. Another demonstration gives a fair account of the happenings during an elephant hunt.
Pattaya Elephant Village is on the road to Siam Country Club Golf Course, about 5km (3mi) from Pattaya, near Reo Horse Riding Park. Daily show time is 14:30-16:30. Tel Novotel Tropicana (038) 42-8645. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 100 Baht from North Pattaya, Central Pattaya or South Pattaya.
Pattaya Elephant Kraal
The Kraal demonstrates elephants at work, elephants showing obedience to mahouts’ orders, and other performances of pachyderms. The Kraal is behind the Pattaya Orphanage on Sukhumvit Highway, near Central Pattaya Rd. Shows are daily at 10:00 and 14:30. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 30 Baht from North Pattaya, 40 from Central Pattaya and 50 from South Pattaya.
Hill Tribe Village
The hill tribe village on North Pattaya Road, about 3km (2mi) from the city center, attempts to give the atmosphere of Northern Thailand. The area of more than 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres) is decorated with houses of 6 hill tribes and has restaurants as well as souvenir shops selling hill tribe products. There are daily shows of customs and traditional ways of hill tribe life at 14:00, 16:00, 19:00 and 21:00. The admission fee including one drink is 250 Baht per person. (This compares with about 1000 Baht in fares for a return trip to the actual hill tribe villages in Northern Thailand.)
Pattaya Park
This park between South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach is for water amusements. It has colorful water slides, whirlpools and large pool for young children. The park facilities include a restaurant, fast-food corner, game room and lockers.
Suan Nong Nooch
Suan Nong Nooch is a Thai village theme park, about 15km (9mi) south of Pattaya towards Sattahip (the Navy Base). Demonstrations include sugar making, elephant bathing, an elephant show and cock fighting. There are also a so-called Thai Handicraft Center and cultural and traditional performances (shaped to what is believed to appeal to tourists) including Phuthai Dance and Thai Boxing. The entire area of 200 hectares (500 acres) is beautifully landscaped, with separate coconut and mango plantations, an orchid nursery, cactus garden, and other botanical gardens. Accommodation can be booked by calling 252-1786 (Bangkok) or (038) 42-9321 (Pattaya). The village is extensively marketed and half-day tours that include this village and provide round trip transportation can be booked at practically any travel agency.
A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 200 Baht from North Pattaya, Central Pattaya or South Pattaya. Those who want to visit the place, probably do so best in organized tours.
Wat Yansangwararam
This unique temple in modern Thai architecture is under the patronage of King Bhumiphol. It is situated 12km (8mi) south of Pattaya and 3km (2mi) from the Nong Nooch Village. A meditation course is offered for men at 6:00 and 18:00. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 200 Baht from North Pattaya, Central Pattaya or South Pattaya.
Ko Larn (Coral Island)
Ko Larn is the biggest of Pattaya’s offshore islands. The major attraction is watching fish and coral from glass-bottom boats. Small boats for 12 person can be rented for 600-1500 Baht. Big boats for up to 100 persons cost 3,000 Baht.
A Bor Kor Sor ferry departs for Ko Larn daily from the fishing pier at 9:00 and 11:00; return is at 15:00. Round trip fare is 40 Baht.
A ferry of the Sailing Club leaves daily at 9:30 and 11:30 and returns 16:00. The price per person is 250 Baht with lunch or 120 Baht without lunch. Most travel agencies organize daily trips at 280 Baht or more.
Transportation to/Around Pattaya & Jomtien
Bangkok - Pattaya
The State Railways of Thailand has a weekend excursion train (Saturdays and Sundays only) departing from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station at 6:20. Tel 225-6964 for further details.
Buses from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road; 149km, non-aircon 29 Baht, 5:25, 6:10, 7:05, 7:55, 8:30 and every 35min until 21:00; aircon 53 Baht, 6:30 and every 30min until 22:00
Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal on Phahonyothin Road, 6:00 and every hour until 19:00.
Diamond Coach buses (reservation Tel 259-4108, 258-1155) depart from their office on Sukhumvit Rd, Soi 26, 110 Baht, 8:30, 12:30 and 16:30. Erawan Coach buses (reservation Tel 252-1083, 252-5887) depart from Siam Orchid Inn (beside Naraiphan, Rajadamri Rd), 110 Baht, 9:00, 13:00 and 17:00.
Thai Airways International has coaches from Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport, 180 Baht, 9:00, 12:00 and 19:00. Tickets and reservation in the arrival lounge, Tel 535-2801, 535-2803.
Aircon coach tickets for Pattaya are also available at World Travel Service counters in the following Bangkok hotels: